Jimmy Carter's motorcade stops at boyhood home before leaving Plains
The Carter Family Farm in Archery, Georgia, is the boyhood home of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Located in rural Sumter County, the farm provides a glimpse into Carter’s early life during the Great Depression, showcasing the lifestyle and agricultural practices of the time.
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The farm includes a modest house where Carter lived from age 4 until he left for college, as well as a blacksmith shop, commissary, and barn. These structures reflect the farm's self-sufficient operations, where the Carter family cultivated crops like peanuts and cotton while raising livestock.
James Earl Carter Sr. moved his family into the farmhouse in 1928. The home did not have running water or electricity until 1938 and was heated by fireplaces or wood stoves. Jimmy Carter lived on the farm until 1941, which is when he left to attend college, and the Carter family lived in the home until 1949.
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In addition to the farmhouse, there were several barns and storage sheds on the property. A large barn was considered to be a gathering point and the life of the farm.
A country store located on the farm, which was run by Earl Carter, was also an important part of the community and provided food, household goods, and clothing items to the people who lived near the farm and were unable to travel the three miles to Plains.
On Jan. 4, the motorcade carrying former President Jimmy Carter's body to The Carter Center in Atlanta stopped by his boyhood home.
President Jimmy Carter: Ringing of bell at boyhood farm
Former President Jimmy Carter's motorcade stops at his boyhood farm in Plains. The National Park Service salutes Carter by ringing the historic farm bell 39 times. The honor of ringing the bell was given to Randy Dillard and Karen Barry, who are the longest-serving members of the NPS in Plains.
National Park Service rangers, groundskeepers, and historical interpreters stood in formation to welcome the former president's remains.
Karen Barry and Randy Dillard rang the old farm bell 39 times to honor the 39th president. Barry and Dillard are the longest-serving staffers at the park.
Today, the site is part of the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, maintained by the National Park Service. Visitors can tour the property, which features interpretive exhibits about Carter's upbringing and the profound influence his rural roots had on his values and leadership style. The site emphasizes themes of hard work, resourcefulness, and a close connection to nature and community. Click here to start planning your visit.